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Each centre is a highlight. The Italian Lake District sees Alpine scenery combine with luxuriant subtropical vegetation; the canals of Venice are magical and romantic; while Florence and Rome overflow with ancient buildings and monuments.
The Grand Hotel Dino has been recently restored and overlooks Lake Maggiore, whereas the Massimo D’Azeglio lies in the heart of the Eternal city of Rome. The Croce di Malta is also conveniently located in the historic centre of Florence and is housed within a former monastery.
DURATION: 13 DAYS
PRICED FROM: AUD $3975
TOUR CODE: E703
PRICES AND DATES:
| Departs On: | Returns On: | From Price: |
| 2009 | ||
| Mon 20 Apr | Sat 02 May | AUD $4250 |
| Fri 23 Apr (PD) | Wed 06 May | AUD $4199 |
| Mon 01 May | Wed 13 May | AUD $4199 |
| Mon 04 May (PD) | Sat 16 May | AUD $4250 |
| Fri 08 May (PD) | Wed 27 May | AUD $4250 |
| Mon 11 May | Sat 23 May | AUD $4250 |
| Fri 15 May (PD) | Wed 27 May | AUD $4250 |
| Mon 18 May (PD) | Sat 30 May | AUD $4250 |
| Fri 22 May (PD) | Wed 03 Jun | AUD $4250 |
| Mon 25 May | Sat 06 Jun | AUD $4250 |
| Fri 29 May (PD) | Wed 10 Jun | AUD $4250 |
| Mon 01 Jun (PD) | Sat 13 Jun | AUD $4250 |
| Fri 05 Jun (PD) | Wed 17 Jun | AUD $4250 |
| Mon 08 Jun | Sat 20 Jun | AUD $4225 |
| Fri 12 Jun | Wed 24 Jun | AUD $4299 |
| Mon 15 Jun (PD) | Sat 27 Jun | AUD $4250 |
| Fri 19 Jun (PD) | Wed 01 Jul | AUD $4250 |
| Mon 22 Jun | Sat 04 Jul | AUD $4250 |
| Fri 26 Jun | Wed 08 Jul | AUD $4250 |
| Mon 29 Jun | Sat 11 Jul | AUD $4250 |
| Fri 03 Jul (PD) | Wed 15 Jul | AUD $4199 |
| Mon 06 Jul | Sat 18 Jul | AUD $4199 |
| Fri 17 Jul | Wed 29 Jul | AUD $3999 |
| Mon 20 Jul | Sat 01 Aug | AUD $4125 |
| Mon 27 Jul | Sat 08 Aug | AUD $4125 |
| Fri 31 Jul (PD) | Wed 12 Aug | AUD $3999 |
| Mon 10 Aug | Sat 22 Aug | AUD $4099 |
| Fri 14 Aug | Wed 26 Aug | AUD $3975 |
| Mon 17 Aug | Sat 29 Aug | AUD $4135 |
| Mon 24 Aug | Sat 05 Sep | AUD $4135 |
| Fri 28 Aug (PD) | Wed 09 Sep | AUD $4175 |
| Fri 04 Sep (PD) | Wed 16 Sep | AUD $4235 |
| Mon 07 Sep (PD) | Sat 19 Sep | AUD $4235 |
| Fri 11 Sep (PD) | Wed 23 Sep | AUD $4235 |
| Mon 14 Sep (PD) | Sat 26 Sep | AUD $4275 |
| Fri 18 Sep (PD) | Wed 30 Sep | AUD $4275 |
| Mon 21 Sep (PD) | Sat 03 Oct | AUD $4275 |
| Fri 25 Sep (PD) | Wed 07 Oct | AUD $4275 |
| Mon 28 Sep (PD) | Sat 10 Oct | AUD $4275 |
| Mon 05 Oct (PD) | Sat 17 Oct | AUD $4275 |
| Mon 12 Oct (PD) | Sat 24 Oct | AUD $4275 |
| Mon 19 Oct | Sat 31 Oct | AUD $4275 |
| Mon 26 Oct | Sat 07 Nov | AUD $4275 |
PD = Preferred Departure
Notes
REF: E703. Prices are per person sharing a twin.
Additional visa requirements
This tour also enters Switzerland, for which some passengers may also require a visa. Please check with your Travel Agent.
Insight’s Airport Shuttle Service
Transfers operate on the days and at the times shown in the itinerary. Passengers arriving ourside these days and times have the option of either purchasing a transfer (see Conditions) or making their own way from/to the airport.
ITINERARY:
13 DAYS ~ ITALY ~ SWITZERLAND
DAY 1 – ARRIVE MILAN – ITALIAN LAKES.
Welcome to Italy! On arrival at Malpensa Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel in the Italian Lake District at 09:00 & 12:30. Settle into the tour hotel overlooking Lake Maggiore and relax – the rest of the day is at leisure. Before dinner, enjoy a Welcome Drink with fellow passengers and your Tour Director.
Hotel: Dino. (D)
DAY 2 – MILAN EXCURSION.
Visit Milan, Italy’s renowned fashion capital, a city dominated by the magnificent Cathedral, its marble facade bristling with 135 pinnacles and over 2000 statues. See the massive Sforza Castle and world famous La Scala Theatre before using your free time to explore or shop. Return to your beautiful lake-side resort where you might like to engulf yourself in the living culture and participate in a traditional early evening stroll, (passeggiata). (BB)
DAY 3 – LAKE COMO EXCURSION.
Today’s highlight is enchanting Lake Como, considered the jewel of the Italian Lakes for its superb mountain setting. Stop in the resort of Como, dominated by its marble cathedral set in the narrow streets of the Old Town. After some time to explore, return to the hotel to relax and enjoy your beautiful surroundings. Why not take a cruise out to the lovely Isola Bella to visit the palatial home and magnificent gardens of the Borromeo family? (BB)
DAY 4 – ITALIAN LAKES – VENICE.
Briefly enter Switzerland to visit mountain ringed Lugano, and take time to stroll the lake’s shores and shop for watches or chocolate. Continue to the elegant city of Verona. See the ancient Roman arena, venue for the opera each summer, and visit the courtyard of the Capulet home to see Juliet’s balcony. Then it’s on to romantic Venice, a glorious city of quaint bridges, ornate palaces, and gondolas.
Hotel: Sant’Elena/Grande Albergo Ausonia & Hungaria. (BB,D)
DAY 5 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING.
Cruise to St Mark’s Square by private launch to see the ornate Basilica. Admire the Doges’ Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs, and later visit a glass showroom for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship, unchanged for centuries. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere as you cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola. (BB)
DAY 6 – VENICE AT LEISURE.
A day is set aside to drink in the unique atmosphere of this wonderful city. Explore the treasures of the Academy Museum, browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge or sit a while at a canal side cafe with a glass of local wine. (BB)
DAY 7 – VENICE – FLORENCE.
Follow the smooth highway across the valley of the river Po and into the wild Apennines to the Renaissance city of Florence. Sightseeing with a local guide shows you Michelangelo’s statue of ‘David’ in the Academy Gallery. Continue to see the Duomo, ‘Gates of Paradise’ and Signoria Square, political stage of the Florentines.
Hotel: Croce di Malta. (BB,D)
DAY 8 – FLORENCE AT LEISURE.
A whole day is reserved to enjoy Florence. Take an optional excursion to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa or visit San Gimignano to admire the picturesque Salucci Towers. (BB)
DAY 9 – FLORENCE AT LEISURE.
Why not dedicate today to shopping for leather and gold products, visit one of the many museums or simply relax at an outdoor café with a glass of vino? (BB)
DAY 10 – FLORENCE – ROME.
Travel through the vineyards of the Chianti region en route to Assisi. There is the chance to visit the tomb of St Francis and the frescoes of Giotto in the great basilica before continuing along the Tiber valley towards the ‘Eternal City’, Rome.
Hotel: Massimo D’Azeglio. (BB)
DAY 11 – ROME AT LEISURE.
Today there is the option to take a full day excursion to visit the excavations at Pompeii or spend the day exploring Rome at your own pace. Spend time in the designer stores of the Via Condotti, visit the well preserved Pantheon or sip a cappuccino in the Piazza Navona, the ‘Living Room of Rome’. (BB)
DAY 12 – ROME SIGHTSEEING.
Sightseeing with a local guide begins with a visit to the Vatican Museums to see Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.Visit St Peter’s Basilica, built around the tomb of St Peter, and designed by some of history’s greatest architects, Bramante, Bernini and Michelangelo. Crossing the Tiber, explore ancient Rome as you visit the Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. Spend the afternoon at leisure: shop, relax or continue sightseeing. As night falls, enjoy a last night celebration Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant. Enjoy a short group tutorial on the wines that compliment your evening meal. (BB,HD)
DAY 13 – ROME.
Arrivederci Roma! Sadly, your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30. (BB)
